4 Charged With Stealing Patients’ Personal Information

BALTIMORE (AP) — Four women have been indicted on charges of stealing more than $750,000 in merchandise using personal information obtained from patients in medical offices where two women worked.

A federal grand jury in Baltimore returned the indictment on Thursday. The indictment alleges that 27-year-old Michelle Jernell Cole of Baltimore, and her sister, 30-year-old Chanell Cole of Owings Mills, worked in medical practices.

Prosecutors say the Cole sisters used the information of nearly 50 patients and with their co-defendants, took over credit accounts at department stores and bought items for their personal use.

Also indicted in the alleged conspiracy are 36-year-old Denise Wearing and 39-year-old Yolana Welch, both of Philadelphia.